Our parish offers small discussion groups to enhance one's spiritual life. In the past we have done Why Catholic? – Profession of Faith, Life in the Church, Christian Prayer, and The Celebration of the Christian Mystery – The Passion Narratives; Longing for the Holy; Life after Sunday are just a few examples.
Small group discussion groups give one an opportunity to look at life and religion as a whole and complete experience, and to accept and love the mysterious things of life. When people gather for discussion, they find that sharing experiences contains anecdotes that point to the fullness of life, and that we, in turn have a more deep awareness of the same occurrences in our lives. The conversations that we have, centered on topics like our Catholic faith, help us to live and love more deeply.
Too often, religion is seen as a reduction of full life or a set of rules to restrict our freedom. Indeed, our group experience has been the opposite. Group discussion helps point to an authentic experience of the person of Christ lived out through the Church and through the others he brings into our lives. It has been an experience that gives us security and strength, and that fulfills and overflows our desires for lasting friendship, true love, and truth in a world that reduces them.
